Normal operations have resumed at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as dockworkers returned to the container terminals for the afternoon shift on Friday. “It’s an opportunity,” said Alan McCorkle, CEO of Yusen Terminals LLC at the Port of Los Angeles. “The job is showing up.”
The shortage of workers closed the container terminals on Thursday night and Friday morning. The impact of the closures on cargo flow was limited due to low volumes, although a container ship scheduled to go to a berth today was delayed and loitering offshore, according to Kip Louttit, executive director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, which monitors the traffic. in the two West Coast ports.
Earlier, Louttit advised ocean carriers to work with destination terminals “to determine if your ship has a reasonable expectation of arriving at a berth in the next three days.”
The largest container gateway to the US remained closed Friday morning as port labor shortages which halted trading Thursday night enters a second day.
“Ilwu Local 13 retained the workforce again for this morning’s shift. The Union’s action has effectively closed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” the Pacific Maritime Association said in a statement.
The terminal closures come as cargo volumes have declined sharply at Southern California ports from peak levels a year ago. The threat of disruptions and delays during contract negotiations has prompted retailers, manufacturers and other importers to avoid potential shipping problems by diverting products to the eastern and gulf coasts.
